This Guanshiyin, is the Chinese name of the bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara. Literally, it means the Observer of Sound—the sounds are the cries and plea for help from millions of beings. The cult of Guanyin grew in popularity with the wide acceptance in China of the Lotus sutra. It is an important scripture that singled out the bodhisattva as the embodiment of compassion, one who not only would deliver all beings to salvation, but who is also the personification of protection and would avail herself to dispel troubles and save lives. This figure of Guanyin has acolytes which resemble officials and may be Daoist -inspired.
